Marc Kudisch as Darryl Van Horne (center) with the ensemble of The Witches of Eastwick.

With the oppressive days of a Washington summer coming on, escaping to an air-conditioned theater to take in a few hours of theater is sounding better by the minute. Check out our new reviews of two area plays: The Witches of Eastwick at the Signature Theatre in Arlington; and Souvenir over at the Studio Theatre.

Of Witches, our reviewer says, "The Witches of Eastwick—a musical based on the John Updike novel and the 1987 movie starring Jack Nicholson—is about an intoxicatingly charismatic stranger who shakes up a New England town. The same could be said of actor Marc Kudisch’s effect on Signature Theatre’s production, which runs until July 15.

As the devious interloper, Darryl Van Horne, Kudisch gives a mesmerizing and spot-on performance in a play that’s apparently still something of a work in progress."

About Souvenir, our reviewer notes that "Souvenir begins with J. Fred Shiffman, as pianist/songwriter Cosme McMoon, reminiscing about Florence Foster Jenkins—played with endearing daffiness by Nancy Robinette—an heiress determined to sing regardless of her lack of talent. She sang, croons McMoon, like a prizefighter. Or worse. Was it delusion or dementia, he wonders, that led her to give concerts for charity? No matter."

And as always, read these reviews and more over in our Theater Review section.

Ted Leo plays a previous Fort Reno show.

The annual outdoor rock series at DC’s Fort Reno Park kicks off this evening (Monday) with the groups Mass Movement of the Moth, Deleted Scenes, and the Boom Orangutangs. Fort Reno take place in the field at 3950 Chesapeake Street, NW; the closest Metro stop is Tenleytown/American Univeristy. Shows start around 7:15; they’re a real Washington music tradition, so even if you can’t make it tonight, check out the schedule and catch a show in the next couple of months. The series highlights the best in local indie music; plus, what's not to like about sitting outside in the grass on a blanket, catching a concert and doing some seriously great people watching?

For more fun things to do this week, including a free Wyclef concert and sangria specials that celebrate summer, check out Where & When Weekly.

Under an inverted rainbow of lights, heavy-banged chanteuse Leslie Feist captivated a sell-out crowd last night at the 9:30 Club.

For nearly two hours the Canadian performed from her repertoire of folksy indie-pop songs such as “My Moon My Man,” “1234,” and “The Park” off her current album, The Reminder. Older songs like “Major Label Debut” from her days with Broken Social Scene and her hit “Mushaboom” from her 2005 album Let it Die also made their way into the set.

A native of Nova Scotia, Feist has been around the music scene for more than a decade. Most notably, she was a guest vocalist on Peaches’ album The Teaches of Peaches and a member of Broken Social Scene. She has appeared on albums by The New Deal and Kings of Convenience. Her third solo album debuted in May, and she has since been touring to sell-out crowds around the US and Canada.

As impressive as Feist’s vocals was the band behind her—sometimes three members strong, sometimes four.  The musicians  moved seamlessly from keyboard to drums to brass, guitar, and even maracas. They clearly were having a great time on stage, and their synergy created an instrumental background as rich and diverse as the voice it underscored. Feist also accompanied herself on piano and displayed her stellar guitar skills throughout the show, particularly rocking out on her interpretation of Nina Simone’s “See Line Woman.”

Between songs Feist engaged the crowd. “Was that epically beautiful?” she asked. She also sang an impromptu ditty about Fairfax and Alexandria, encouraged singing along, and replied to adulation showered on her from the crowd. “Go home with me, Feist,” someone yelled. “Only if there’s a hot tub,” she quipped.

Otherwise the audience maintained an energized stillness through the haunting ballads and lyrically mesmerizing songs that held you captive till the end.

For more on Feist, check out www.listentofeist.com.

Looking for ideas to celebrate Father's Day and thank good old Dad for all he's done for you? If he's a boating man, check out the Antique and Classic Boat Festival this weekend at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels (213 N. Talbot Street).

In addition to more than 100 gorgeous and interesting antique boats—everything from a turn-of-the-century gaff rigger to a swingin' speedboat from the '70s—there will be live music, boat rides, food, and more. 10 am to 5 pm; $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for ages 6–17 (5 and under are free).

There's lots more going on this weekend, including a series of films exploring sci-fi femme fatales, a CD release party for one of the area's best bands, and more Father's Day ideas. For what you need to be doing this weekend, check out our Where & When Weekend column.

Wedding boutiques and denim stores aren't the only ones having sales—today, Muléh  (1831 14th Street NW), a favorite boutique of mine on 14th Street, NW, is starting a 40% off sale. Muléh carries everything from Phillip Lim to Helmut Lang to Nicole Farhi, so the sale's sure to be a smash. 

Does shopping make you hungry? Check out our U Street Dining Guide for some ideas of where to nosh afterwards. Or make a night of it and take the advice our Date Night on U Street doles out.  

For those who prefer to do their shopping in Georgetown, Cusp is also having a 40% off sale.  

It’s the old date standby—dinner and a movie. It’s a classic for a reason: A film not only guarantees you’ll have something to talk about while you break bread but also offers a chance to evaluate a prospective partner’s taste. (“Um, you saw Spice World how many times?”)

So when summer has made a humid mess of your favorite outdoor cafe and you want nothing more than to stay air-conditioned, catch the latest installment of whatever Hollywood franchise is in season at the AMC Loews megaplex in Georgetown (3111 K St., NW). Multiple screens, stadium seating, and state-of-the-art sound and projection ensure that you’re watching a blockbuster the way it was meant to be seen.

Reserve tickets online and use the time you would have spent in line by grabbing a bite next door at Maté (3101 K St., NW; 202-333-2006), a hip, modern lounge and sushi bar. It gets crowded later at night, but between 5 and 7:30 pm you can be assured a quiet space to enjoy discounted sushi and specialty drinks such as pomegranate mojitos and margaritas. White swivel chairs, low-hanging metallic chandeliers, and a liberal use of color and lighting elevate this premovie dinner spot far above a burger chain.

After the film, grab some ice cream at the adjoining Hershey Ice Cream Store (3151 K St., NW; 202-339-9004), or head around the corner to Ching Ching Cha (1063 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-8288) for a perfectly brewed pot of tea—the oolong and white teas are particularly good. If things are still going well, there are plenty of bars where you can continue the night. After all, you are in Georgetown.

Hitched's sample sale goes through the end of June.

Whether you're looking for the perfect pair of jeans or the perfect wedding gown, a couple of great area sales taking place will set you up.

First up, the sample sale at Hitched in Georgetown (1523 Wisconsin Ave., NW) has just gotten underway. Make an appointment with the boutique, and through June 30 you can try on gorgeous sample gowns by the likes of Oscar de la Renta or Elizabeth Fillmore. Call Hitched at 202-333-6162; but move fast, because there are only about 30 gowns at the sample sale and they're sure to be snatched up.

Then over at the National Jean Company in Bethesda (7301 Woodmont Ave.), they're having a summer sale that starts Thursday, June 14 and ends Sunday, June 17. All jeans in the store will be at least 20% off, and some designers are 50% discounted.